The year of the Wood Snake

Editor's note: Uwe Kräuter, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a German film producer, author and translator. He translated the Chinese classic drama "Teahouse" into German and got it published in Germany. 2025 is Kräuter's 51st year living in China. The article reflects the author's views and not necessarily those of CGTN.

Recently in December, I traveled from Beijing, where we live, to the city of Nanjing, which I like very much and where I have a number of friends, mostly artists. They are also painters, singers, dancers and journalists. On Christmas Eve, we went out walking in the streets and had dinner in an international restaurant. In the streets everywhere there were mostly young people, excited, enjoying themselves, going to restaurants, bars – Chinese and international ones – all in a very, very lively atmosphere.

That evening, I started remembering how it was when I came to China, indeed decades ago, me in my twenties and invited by a Chinese publishing house to work with them. At the time, Christmas was not on the minds of the people. Sure, they were polite, gave us foreign colleagues the impression that they understood us, didn't want us to feel lonely and kindly invited us for dinner or lunch, usually to their homes.

We foreigners at the time knew even less about the Spring Festival and the meaning of it than the usual Chinese knew about Christmas. Sure, we enjoy the holidays and travel around. But what is the Spring Festival about? Now we just need to open a computer to get useful or necessary information.

The Spring Festival is an annual event in China and also in Chinese communities around the world. It is China's oldest and most important festival, marking the new year on the Chinese calendar and representing people's desire for a new life, perhaps in new surroundings. Equal to the significance or importance of Christmas in our countries, Spring Festival is the most relevant holiday in China.

It takes place on different dates each year, but typically starts around late January, or early February and lasts until around the middle of February. This year 2025 the dates for the Spring Festival holiday are January 28 to February 4. The dates in that period will be characterized by lively and happy gatherings as well as close family meetings.

The festival is considered to date back to the early time of the Shang Dynasty around 3500 years ago and to honor the tradition of respect to ancestors and deities. Two features are considered important: One is seeing off the old year and welcoming the new; the other one is family reunion.

Family members who no longer live in their original home, city or village will – and this is considered very important – travel back to reunite with their relatives.

There is a tradition of buying new clothes prior to the beginning of the festival. Additionally, there is the habit of family elders giving money to the children in red envelopes. In recent years, young people as well as elder ones have started sending digital red packets.

During the days of the festival, people watch and are fascinated by the dances of huge, long dragons in streets and parks; they enjoy looking at fireworks, join parties, hear live music and happily walk in the streets where there are colorful, mostly red and golden lanterns everywhere.

This year is considered as the Year of the Snake, or more specifically, the Year of the Wood Snake. The Wood Snake represents wisdom, patience and mystery. It symbolizes personal growth and continuous renewal. The snake is admired for its strategic and introspective nature. This is complemented by wood as wood fosters growth, balance and the connection with nature. There is a belief that the combination of these energies will help create a year with both personal inner reflection and progress in life.

It is said that people born in the Year of the Snake are considered to be mysterious, intelligent, and charming as well as creatively gifted. At the same time, they are known for their sharp wit. Yet, they may also be secretive, cunning, and sometimes ruthless. They are particularly known for their strong will and determination.

Very recently, on December 4, 2024, UNESCO added China's Spring Festival to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition underscores the festival's enduring role as a cornerstone of cultural identity, uniting generations through rituals, symbolism and shared values. As the Wood Snake year unfolds, it invites a harmonious blend of introspection, growth and celebration – a testament to the timeless legacy of this cherished tradition.

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